Www.sfvems.com
SOUTHERN FOX VALLEY
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM
TITLE: Latex Free Precautions
NUMBER: D 28.0
SECTION: General Policies
PREPARED BY: EMS Administration
DATE REVIEWED: 6/18/14
DATE REVISED: 5/27/09
DATE INITIATED: 6/1/2001
REVISION NO: 1
PAGE: 1 of 3
______________________________________________________________________________
A. PURPOSE:
To identify and appropriately treat patients with Latex sensitivities.
B. POLICY:
1. Latex is a natural substance derived from the milky sap of the rubber tree.
2. Latex allergy-is a hypersensitivity to latex. It arises when the immune system reacts to the substance (allergen). An individual may experience a reaction either to the chemical additives used in the manufacturing of the latex products or to the proteins in the latex itself. Persons who develop sensitivity often have a history of hay fever, asthma, eczema, food allergies, or a history of other allergies.
Patients at risk for latex sensitivity include:
1. History of unexplained anaphylactic reaction during surgery, indwelling urinary catheter use, rectal or vaginal or dental procedure.
2. Patients with spina bifida or other congenital spinal abnormalities
3. Patients requiring chronic bladder catheterization
4. History of multiple surgeries
5. Patients with occupational exposure
6. History of multiple allergies
7. Allergies to avocados, bananas, cherries, celery, chestnuts, figs, kiwi, melons, milk, nectarine, papaya, passion fruit, peaches, plums, potatoes, or tomatoes.
Recommendations for EMS agencies and Health Care Facilities:
1. If time permits before loading the patient, the interior of the ambulance should be prepared to minimize latex protein on surfaces.
a. Put latex containing gloves and equipment in closed cabinets.
b. Wipe surfaces with a damp cloth
c. Place clean sheets on the cot and use fresh towels and other linens.
d. Open the side door and the back door to ventilate the patient compartment.
e. If weather permits, transport the patient with the windows open.
2. Wash hands with soap and water or waterless disinfectant solution. If you have previously used latex products, wear a gown to cover clothing. Powder from latex gloves may be on your clothing.
3. Use latex-free equipment in care of the patient.
4. Loosely wrap the patient’s upper arm with Webril before applying the BP cuff or use a latex-free BP cuff.
5. Use a latex-free stethoscope or cover the entire stethoscope tubing with Webril or stockinette.
6. Medications in vials may have a stopper containing latex. Avoid insertion of a needle through the stopper. Remove the metal collar and the “rubber” stopper and draw up the medication.
7. The medication injection port of the IV bag may contain latex. Inject medications into the IV tubing (spike port) before connecting the tubing.
8. When using an OB kit for delivery with a mother allergic to latex, do not use the enclosed sterile gloves (if they contain latex). If the bulb syringe contains latex, cover it with stockinette. The newborn is not sensitive to the latex, but the mother could be affected.
9. Avoid use of the PASG.
10. Do not use the finger of a latex glove as a flutter valve for needle chest decompression.
11. Inform the receiving hospital of the latex sensitivity in the radio report.
12. If a patient has signs or symptoms of latex allergic reaction, follow the Allergic Reaction/Anaphylactic Shock SMO or orders given by medical control.
**Consider latex exposure as a cause of sudden unexplained deterioration in a patient that may have already been diagnosed or is unable to communicate that they have a hypersensitivity to latex products.
Types of Reactions:
There are three common reactions to latex.
1) Irritant Dermatitis-this is NOT an allergy. The powder in the gloves can cause it. Symptoms include localized itching and redness. Treatment is not to wear the powdered gloves that cause this irritation.
2) Type IV Reaction-this is triggered by the chemicals used during the processing of latex. The powder carries these chemicals. This reaction may be delayed for as long as three days. However, the time of exposure to reaction decreases with continued exposure. Symptoms include itching, redness, flushing, edema, coughing, runny nose, and conjunctivitis. Some of these symptoms occur from the powder becoming aerosolized or by the glove wearer touching his/her face. The symptoms resolve when the person has time off from work. This makes the diagnosis very difficult.
3) Type I Reaction-this is an immediate allergic reaction to the latex itself. Mediated by IgE, an immunoglobuliln that plays a role in allergic reactions by attaching itself to mast cells of the respiratory and intestinal tract. The latex proteins bind to these cells and histamine is released.
Because of the different protein antigens in the latex and the degree of an individual’s sensitivity, the symptoms may vary from person to person. Also, an individual’s degree of sensitivity increases with increased exposure. The symptoms may initially be local and then progress to systemic.
Latex-free Supplies
The following supplies MUST be latex-free. If any of the following items on the ambulances are not latex-free, a comparable item that is latex-free should be added to your latex free kits. All future replacement items must be latex-free.
Bag-valve-mask
Oral airways
Oxygen masks
Oxygen nasal cannula
Oxygen tubing
Aerosol masks
Nebulizers
Syringes
Needles
Endotracheal tubes
Stylet
IV catheters
Yankauer rigid suction catheter
Latex-free Kits
The following items will be stocked in a latex-free kit:
Tape, 1 inch paper
Stethoscope
Syringes with needle; 1, 3, and 10 cc
Latex free gloves, sizes M, L, XL
Tourniquet
IV administration set (regular and mini-drip)
Band-Aids
ECG monitoring electrodes
Nasal airways
Webril 4”
Stockinette 4”
Mask/eye shield with ties
Medication labels
Products that Contain Latex
A wide variety of products contain latex: medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and numerous household objects. Most people who encounter latex products only through their general use in society have no health problems from the use of these products. Workers who repeatedly use latex products are the focus of the alert. The following are examples of products that may contain latex:
Emergency Equipment Office Supplies
Blood pressure cuffs Rubber bands
Stethoscopes Erasers
Disposable gloves
Oral and nasal airways Hospital Supplies
Endotracheal tubes Anesthesia masks
Tourniquets Catheters
IV tubing Wound drains
Syringes Injection Ports
Electrode pads Rubber tops of multidose vials
Dental dams
Household Items
Automobile tires Personal Protective Equipment
Motorcycle and bicycle handgrips Gloves
Carpeting Surgical masks
Swimming goggles Goggles
Racquet handles Respirators
Shoe soles Rubber aprons
Expandable fabric underwear/socks
(waistbands etc.)
Dishwashing gloves
Paint, glue
Balloons, tennis Balls, koosh balls
Chewing gum
Condoms, contraceptive sponges, diaphragms
................
................
In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.
To fulfill the demand for quickly locating and searching documents.
It is intelligent file search solution for home and business.
Related searches
- getroman com reviews
- acurafinancialservices.com account management
- https www municipalonlinepayments
- acurafinancialservices.com account ma
- getroman.com tv
- http cashier.95516.com bing
- http cashier.95516.com bingprivacy notice.pdf
- connected mcgraw hill com lausd
- education.com games play
- rushmorelm.com one time payment
- autotrader.com used cars
- b com 2nd year syllabus